The hope of a more democratic and capitalistic Russia negotiated with Gorbachev & Reagan has deteriorated for years, unfortunately. Same with the hope of Billy Graham's evangelical outreach as well as optimism surrounding Putin at his inauguration.
Some say it was Clinton & Dick Cheney who wanted to expand NATO, secure more military bases in Europe and discourage trade with Eastern communist regimes.
Then, came the internet and online trading platforms and the hope this would open communist regimes to capitalism. Nope! The resistance to Russia's economic prosperity for their people was denied and NATO bases and threats continued while Starbuck's, Burger King, Nestle and numerous other chains were permitted to operate in Russia until the invasion of Ukraine, Eastern Europe's breadbasket and, now, a desired area for NATO expansion after years of Russian rule, occupation and cultural majority.
Most all US corporates inside Russia were left behind with Russian re-branding, the eventual outcome of GS & JPM EM growth strategies to show improving numbers for the Street. The West bought Russian oil & gas but far less than India, China and other Countries that didn't vote down Russian plans for energy development.
Then, US officials and family members accepted bribes in the Ukraine while accusing communist leaders and oligarchs of corruption. Beyond the pale.
Until the Reagan & Gorbachev hope returns, until the transformation of Graham's evangelism becomes true for all, Ukraine could stay a wasteland, the Crimean Peninsula and Eastern Ukraine will stay a bridge for warm water Navy access and Russia will look East and South for economic development.
Putin will use the US corruption of Burisma & Uranium One as an excuse to reject the West, look East and secure Russia's plans while cheering with glee at interest rate and economic disaster if and when it occurs while US defense contractors and investors seek returns in the US military using Ukrainian mercenaries in their proxy war.
How much more insulting can I be to US officials and investors unable to conceive of a way to work constructively with different governance structures and the needs of the Russian people? Many will continue to be surprised after misunderstanding and misunderstanding of a land far away.
Could Lehman be a 'linchpin'? There are significant roles to play but LBHI needs to be back in business. If Russia was truly antisemitic they would have likely extinguished the Jewish enclave of Odessa by now; they probably left that for the neo-Nazis of the Azov Battalions as Russia has no appetite for it.
All of this should have been prevented. It could have been so much different but there is still hope. mojo9
